Seeking advice on choosing mastectomy over lumpectomy for breast cancer

I agree with you. I had the bilaterally mastectomy and tissue expanders until reconstructive surgery in October. I didn’t want to risk it coming back or spreading either. And I’m on Tamoxifen for the foreseeable future. Let me know if you have any questions! I wish you the best of luck.

You mean reconstruction is not done immediately in the same surgery? that is what I understood...

Depending on type of reconstruction they often place tissue expanders during mastectomy surgery and then replace with permanent implants (if that’s what you are having) a few months later. I think sometimes can do immediate implants or if having DIEP. If you haven’t met with plastic surgeon yet…would be good to do that to get better idea.

This is all new to me. I'm being scheduled for a lumpectomy soon. Than moving forward 🙏 praying every step of the way 🙏.

Thanks, I have not met with plastic surgery yet. But that is what I understood as immediate reconstruction. Otherwise, I will just have a lumpectomy. I am doing it for my emotional health. I dont want to wake up flat. I think that would really crush me. Thank you for the recommendation😉

It definitely helped for me to talk to the plastic surgeon. Not totally flat with the tissue expander but for me was hard to see too. Looking better with the expansion and will hopefully get implant soon. Good luck with your decision…a lot to weigh from cancer perspective and physical appearance and emotional toll.

I had the same diagnosis. Double mastectomy with immediate expanders for the implants. Everything worked out fine, took Tamoxifen for four years, got a complete hysterectomy done because of the side effects of Tamoxifen. Because, 1cm tumor was malignant and some of the micro metastasis had spread to the lymph nodes the cancer was supposed to be in remission for four years. Due to back pain between my shoulders a MRI revealed that the cancer is back. First treatment was Verzenio, Xgeva, fulvestrant, then Truqap, and now I'm on 12 rounds of Enhertu. So far I had three treatments every 21 days and the side effects are okay for now and every time I get an infusion they get a little worse. I'm just hanging in there. You are your best advocate, and if something feels off to you, notify your care team!

Only about 30% can have immediate reconstruction. They do a blood flow test and if it’s good they can proceed. In my case they could not do the reconstruction at the time of the DMX and I am actually glad. The recovery time is much longer if they do it ‘all in one’ surgery. The second surgery to put implants in is much easier and nothing like the mastectomy. Good luck!

I asked my plastic surgeon to add a cup size from b to c and that worked great 😃👍

Same diagnosis here

Doing radiation at the moment

Tamoxofin seems to be the devil reincarnated and doesn’t seem to stop reaccurances UGH I wish someone had some positive Tamoxofin stories -if they are out there I cant find them

Tamoxifen didn't work for me either, all I got from this pill was nasty side effects. I took Tamoxifen for four years. My oncologist didn't do any tests although I complained of pain and other side effects 😕. After my PCP order a MRI, the results revealed a tumor on my spine. I was so upset,I went to a different oncologist. However, since I Have MBC all I do is to hope that my treatments work and I can enjoy life a lot longer! Good luck

I have the same diagnosis and I insisted to have a double mastectomy. At first everything went well. I was on Tamoxifen for four years, and now I have MBC and undergo chemotherapy. Needless to say, I was not happy. Now I hope to stay alive for a few more years. One day at the time. Make sure you advocate for yourself and educate yourself about your health.

Hello All, You absolutely have to advocate for yourself! If you feel something is not right, question it. Do your own research. Masectomy with immediate reconstruction as in implants was what they were going to do to me. I did a lot of research and found you have so many options. So, I opted for a DIEP, but it was not done immediately after the masectomy because I waited sort of last minute to make the decision. I have expander in, had two drains, and am recovering from that. I've been very uncomfortable with the expander and wish I just would have opted for the implants on the same day as masectomy. The look, as some of you say, is not mentally and emotionally pleasing. It's hard. Because I've been in pain, I recently decided to cancel the DIEP and just do implants. The DIEP is a much more involved procedure with a longer recovery time. I just want to start feeling a little bit normal again. Now, the surgeon tells me I have to recover from the Masectomy a bit in order to schedule the implant surgery. I'm so mad at myself because I will have to go through yet more pain with yet another surgery at another time. I wish I would have opted for all of it on the same day. One big pain and one recovery. Again, there are many options for reconstruction. You choose what you feel is best for you. Good luck to all!

Thank you all for all your feedback. I think I will stick to bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction if possible. If not, I will do expanders. I am amazed to see how many of us are diagnosed with breast cancer. Sometimes, I wonder if these "diagnosis" are really true and if we aren't just numbers so they can make insane amounts of money off of us. I am so mad and sad to see the unscrupulous and unethical healthcare professionals who are part of this scheme. It is all a multi-billion business, and we are all victims - customers rather than patients. That is how I feel after reading countless responses of prescribed drugs that dont work and make patients sicker than they already are. Am I the only one who feels this way?

I Am choosing double mastectomy as well, did not want to go thru radiation treatments w lumpectomy. I think it’s best choice for me at age 55. I wish us both the best in a speedy recovery!

Adrienne G how is the tamoxifen side effects?

Angela Almodovar- Waking up flat is better than what the reconstruction agonies will be. And Gratitude for life saving surgery should be the priority- not fake boobs !!

I am choosing to do it for my emotional health. I understand that everyone's choices are different based on the diagnosis. God bless us all in our difficult treatments and recovery journeys.

Angela, You are 💯 correct that everyone's choices and decisions are indeed different. You choose what is mentally, emotionally, and physically best for you. I too, made a decision for MY OWN mental and emotional well-being. I did not choose reconstruction for anyone but me. Also, correct about the healthcare system nowadays. I've lost all faith in it. You are not the only one who feels the way you feel. Wishing you the very best💕 Will be thinking and praying for you.

Dear Carol S After my first diagnosis, I was devastated, and I thought my life was over! Getting reconstructive surgery and having my breasts back helped me to get back to some form of normalcy in my life, although I asked my cosmetic surgeon to enlarge my breasts by one cup size, YES it is about looks! For me, it was important, so I can continue with my life and how I look. It would have been different to have my cup size enlarged by 3 or 4 cups, but who am I to judge? Breast cancer is terrible. It causes a lot of emotional distress, and breast cancer is a lifechanging disease. Every woman deals differently with cancer during their recovery! I learned to keep an open mind. After my MBC diagnosis, I fell into a depression because again 🙃 my life was turned upside down. Im on Enhertu now because Truqap stopped working after 14 months. I have a feeling that this medication doesn't work right either, because I have fluid build-up in my plural space. Now, I wear a plural catheter so I can drain the fluid myself, Enhertu is supposed to stop the fluid in my plural space. Im still alive, and I'm grateful for it. I'm planning to live to the fullest for many more years no matter what. By the way, I'm wearing my bald head proudly, 😆

Monica 👏👏! Wonderfully put. This is a difficult time for us. If getting new breasts, a tummy tuck, or anything else that makes us feel somewhat ourselves again, I say do it. Having breast cancer is a nightmare! It's an emotional roller-coaster. Depression is real for many, and I can relate. Your life does get turned upside down. So for those who feel they will be judged in any way for making the decision that is right for you...ignore the extra unsolicited outside noise!! We/you have enough going on💕

Monika, sorry for typo on your name. My phone changed it.

Thank you, ladies, for your kind and nurturing words, for sharing your experiences and difficult journeys, for openly saying what has worked for you and hasn't. I have my bilateral mastectomy surgery with immediate reconstruction scheduled for August 14th, 2025. I am nervous but have been praying lots and staying as calm and collected as possible. It helps to read the recommendations of all you wonderful warriors. Thank you, thank you, and may God be with us all during our trails.